Army turns over peace operations to police

From the Business World (Apr 4): Army turns over peace operations to police

The Army has cleared Eastern Samar of threats from communists, handing over to the Eastern Samar Provincial Peace and Order Council the lead role in internal peace and security operations in the province.

Eastern Samar Governor Conrado B. Nicart, Jr., 8th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug and police provincial director Supt. Jose Cesar B. Beso recently signed a joint resolution declaring the province as ready for development.

“This joint declaration is not only the success of my administration but rather, the success of each and every Eastern Samareño,” Mr. Nicart said in a statement.

The declaration means the city of Borongan and all 22 towns of Eastern Samar are free of rebels.

Mr. Layug said the rebels have ceased to function effectively as an organized insurgent movement and its threat to stability, peace and order, and development in Eastern Samar has been significantly reduced and relegated to inconsequential.

He added that the rebels’ capabilities have been degraded and actual and potential support have been cut.

“More and more provinces are attaining the status of being free from insurgents such as Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran. Such development is a result of dynamic teamwork between government agencies, nongovernment organizations, various sectors and the people,” Mr. Layug said.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Army-turns-over-peace-operations-to-police&id=68209